JOHANNESBURG (South Africa) - MBB, the South African club, will make their first foray into the Elite 16. They are the second South African team to take part in the qualification for the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Unlike the Cape Town Tigers, who brought top-tier talent to previous Elite 16 tournaments, MBB is not as well-resourced as their American-owned predecessors and will have to make do with local talent and expatriates, who call South Africa home ahead of the Elite 16 Division East in Nairobi.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED FOR THE ROAD TO BAL ELITE 16
MBB won the South African national club championship in August, and they earned a direct spot in the Elite 16.
KEY PLAYERS IN THE ELITE 16
Former South African national team captain Neo Mothiba was one of the key figures in leading MBB to capture its first club championship.
And the 42-year-old Mothiba is expected to become a difference-maker for the South African champions.
Lebesa Selepe is well-versed on this journey of the Road to BAL. He played in three successful qualifying campaigns with the Cape Town Tigers, and his mission now is to lead MBB at Elite 16 debut in Nairobi, Kenya.
HEAD COACH
Former player Cyril Shabalala will lead the club from the bench. Shabalala led MBB to the national championship.
CLUB HISTORY MANAGEMENT
MBB began as a social team. This year, they started participating in the domestic Basketball National League. Shabalala also owns the club.
FIBA